True to form, I’ve unabashedly abandoned this site for almost a year (last post: April 24, 2011). I’ve traded the simple pleasures of writing for meager information on Marketing, Finance, Operations Management, and what not, hoping it will land me a square inch of space in the corporate world.

All the same, I am not completely disappointed with the turn of events. As my father repeatedly points out, I can’t live off fictional characters and fairy tale endings forever. I’ve contemplated leeching from his bank account for longer than is necessary, but I somehow feel that won’t suit me.

So, here’s to the barter of souls in the mindless institutions. Pray I hold out longer

My mood as of late.

Manong had this brilliant idea to walk to the seven churches. Apparently, the bustling streets of Manila were easy to maneuver if you knew what you were doing.

We didn’t.

Armed with nothing but a camera, one phone and one wallet (all of which were assigned to our male ”armed” escort), we set off to what could probably be one of the most spontaneous (and dangerous) feats I’ve ever gotten myself into.

Spotted on our jeepney ride. There's definitely something to be said about Pinoy humor!

I don't think I've ever stepped foot in Luneta Park until now.

From Luneta Park, we walked all the way to Intramuros, passing sidewalks that were undoubtedly potential mugger hotspots. Do you get that feeling when you're about to be stabbed? Yeah, I hate that.

Intramuros at that time of night and in this particular season wasn't exactly as picturesque as I remembered it. But then again, I attribute that to the catty seven-year old that spat near my leg. She was not in my prayers that night. (Sidenote: Silahis happens to mean something else in Hiligaynon. *smug face*)

We took a pause from eating our boiled corn with butter and salt to visit our second church (Manila Cathedral) after an hour of inadvertent twists and turns.

Check out this old school 7 Eleven!

The streets of Manila at around midnight.

I've heard stories of Quiapo (top) but I suppose some things you have to see to believe.

San Sebastian Basilica from a distance. I couldn't help but think of castles when I saw it. However, walking towards it wasn't exactly a pretty sight -- nor was it particularly sanitary, for that matter.

Hopping into that cab was heaven to my aching feet.

6 kilometers, baby! (1) Malate Church, (2) San Agustin Church, (3) Manila Cathedral, (4) Sta. Cruz Church, (5) Quiapo Church, (6) San Sebastian Basilica, and (7) San Beda Church.

Save for Intramuros, I have never been to these parts of Manila. To experience it this way, with all the garbage-infested streets and massive throngs of church-goers jostling each other, was quite interesting if not brutally beautiful. Then again, I may have inhaled too much of the city’s polluted air.

Which reminds me — something should definitely be done about that.

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Those were Meg Ryan’s words as she wrote an email to her mysterious cyberfriend (Tom Hanks) in the rom-com, You’ve Got Mail. As ever, I’ve become quite taken with this idea (and many an idea from a dozen other movies). So, that’s precisely how this first post will begin — as if we’re already in the middle of a conversation.

Exhausted from attempting to clean my brothers’ condo and lounging about like a hobo, I decided that now would be the perfect time to resurrect this blog — or to be more accurate “reincarnate“.

My five-day vacation from summer school has been awfully uplifting despite the fact that I couldn’t come home to Iloilo City for Holy Week. My family is avidly religious (or at least my mother is) and it’s disheartening to know that the metro’s version of pamalandong or religious observance (something to that effect) isn’t exactly reminiscent of home. All the same, I’m thankful for the break from academics and the subsequent summer heat following me around the campus.

I was reading through this post earlier and realized how different Holy Week will be (is) this year. There’s so much I’ll be missing (I’ve missed) and while I’ve never been prone to getting homesick, I’ve always been attached to traditions. However, I’m keeping my spirits up. The fact that I’m foregoing a few practices may be a sign from the heavens for me to make new ones.

A very happy Lenten season to everyone!